Reduced Puffing Needle Coke From Coal Tar Distillate

Abstract

A reduced puffing needle coke is formed, which includes a reduced nitrogen content within the coke so that the coke particles do not experience as much puffing during the formation of graphitized carbon articles produced from such coke upon heating to graphitization temperatures.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A feedstock for producing a reduced puffing needle coke having a nitrogen content of up to about 0.4% nitrogen, the feedstock comprising a coal tar distillate having a nitrogen content of 0.4% or less by weight. 
     
     
         26 . The feedstock of  claim 25 , which has a nitrogen content of 0.2% or less by weight. 
     
     
         27 . The feedstock of  claim 26 , which has a nitrogen content of 0.03% or less by weight. 
     
     
         28 . The feedstock of  claim 25 , which comprises heavy creosote oil, middle creosote oil, light creosote oil or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The feedstock of  claim 25 , wherein the coal tar distillate is mixed with a solvent to reduce its viscosity. 
     
     
         30 . The feedstock of  claim 25 , wherein the coal tar distillate is heated to facilitate nitrogen removal, reduce its viscosity and/or melt or dissolve crystalline particles.